Basking in the Aegean Sea close to the Turkish mainland, Kos Island is one of the 12 Dodecanese islands. It lies between Nisyros and Kalymnos, green and fertile and, along with Rhodes and Patmos, the best known.
Kos Town is the ancient port, capital and major town. Apart from a plethora of bars and restaurants, it is studded with remnants from Kos's past inhabitants - Egyptians, Romans, Venetians, Ottomans and the Knights of St John. There are ruins of the Roman baths and amphitheatre, and the enormous 15th-century castle, built by the Knights of St John, still stands, an imposing sight.
Kardamena Village, on the south coast of the island, is one of the most popular resorts with British tourists. The airport at which Kos Island flights land is just a ten-minute drive from the village.
Kefalos Village is quieter than other parts of Kos. Perched on a hillside and with a lovely, long beach, Kefalos offers a relaxed holiday experience. Despite its popularity, the village remains typically Greek, with whitewashed houses and narrow alleys.
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- The best beaches of Kos include those in Marmari and Tigaki, both with 10km (6 miles) of white-sand beaches. Kardamena, Kefalos, Mastichari, Lambi beach and Psalidi are worth a bathe and a bask on the sand.
- Therma (Greek for hot) is located 8km (5 miles) from Kos town centre. Bathing in the hot waters - a natural whirlpool - is a relaxing pastime.
- The Church of St John the Baptist (Epta Bemata) dates from about the 6th century.
- Asklepeio was, in ancient times, a sanatorium and temple, dedicated to the god Aesculapius, son of Apollo. It is built on four levels, a superb example of Greek architecture.
- Excursions to neighbouring islands such as Pserimos are popular and plentiful and there are any number of daily sea crossings to nearby Turkey.
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Content Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!